Oberheim MC 2000 User manual

Manuale Operativo
MASTER CONTROLLER
EXPANDABLE MIDI
MC 2000
Operating Manual

CAUTI 
RISK  F ELECTRIC SH CK
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 AR I   T REDUCE THE DA  ER  F ELECTRIC SH CK:
D   T REM VE C VER  R BACK
D   T E P SE THIS APPLIA CE T RAI  R M ISTURE
  USER SERVICEABLE PARTS I SIDE
REFER SERVICI  T  UALIFIED SERVICE PERS   EL
This simbol is intended to
alert the user to the presence
of important operating and
maintenance servicing
instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.
This simbol is intended to alert
the user to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous
voltage within the product’s
enclouser that may be of
sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electronic
shock to persons.
“INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE,
ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS“
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
“INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE,
ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS“
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
 AR I  : henusingelectricproducts,basicprecautionsshouldalwaysbe
fallowed, including the following:
1 Read all instructions before using the product.
2 To reduce risk of injury, close supervision is necessary when product is used near
children.
3 Do note this product near water – for example, near a batnub, washbowl, kitchen
sink, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, or the like.
 Thisproduct,eitheraloneorincombinationwithanamplifierandheadphonesor
speakers, may be capable of producing sound levels that could cause permanent
hearing loss. Do not operate for a long period of time in high volume level or at a
level that is unconfortable. If you experience any hearing loss or ringing in the
ears, you should consult an audiologist.
5 This products should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat
register, or other products that produce heat.
  The power supply cord of the instrument should be unplugged from the outlet
when left unused for a long period of time.
  Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the
enclosure of the instrument.
  The products should be serviced by qualified personnel when:
a. The power supply cord or the plug has been demaged or
b.  bjects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the product or
c. The products has been exposed to rain or
d. The products does not appear to operate normally or exibist a marked
change in performance or
e. The products has been dropped, or the enclosure demaged.
  Do not attemp to service the product beyond that described in the user-
maintenance instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified
personnel.

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CONTENTS
1. General presentation
1.1. Main characteristics
1.2. The patch and zone concept
1.3. Let’s take a look at the instrumenta and discover some if its features
1.3.1. Wheels
1.3.2. Sliders and zone keys
1.3.3. The display, the write key and the function keys
1.3.4. The dynamic encoder, the INC and DEC keys and the cursor keys
1.3.5. The Numeric Pad and the mode keys
1.3.6. Rear panel elements
2. Let’s switch on the MC 2000
2.1. What the instrument does at the switch-on
2.2. Setting the switch-on mode
2.3. Selecting the patch which will automatically appaer at the switch-on
3. The Program operating mode
3.1. Introduction
3.2. “Send PRG” function
3.3. “Solo” function
4. WRITE procedure in the Program and Edit ode
4.1. Patch numbering
4.2. Assigning a name to the patch
5. Edit mode
5.1. Introduction
5.2. Out Configuration
5.3. Zone Definition
5.4. Out Messages
5.4.1. Introduction
5.4.2. Program Changes
5.4.3. Control Changes
5.4.4. Sys-Ex
5.5. Curves
5.5.1. Introduction

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5.5.2. Dynamic
5.5.3. Aftertouch
5.6. Sliders
5.7. Pedals
6. Chain operating mode
6.1. Introduction
6.2. Edit Chain
6.3. Play Chain
6.4. Write Chain
7. The Utility operating mode
7.1. Introduction
7.2. MIDI IN Configuration
7.2.1. Introduction
7.2.2. IN Status
7.2.3. MIDI Filter
7.2.4. MIDI Program Map
7.3. MIDI Bulk Dump
7.4. Edit Tables
7.4.1. Introduction
7.4.2. OUT Names
7.4.3. Program Change Tables
7.4.4. Sys-Ex Table
7.5. System Controls
7.5.1. Introduction
7.5.2. Wheels
7.5.3. Sliders RNG
7.5.4. Pedals RNG
7.5.5. System Pedals
7.6. Board Configuration
7.7. Tools
7.7.1. Introduction
7.7.2. Contrast
7.7.3. Ram Busy
7.7.4. Power on
8. Installing the sound generation board

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9. Supplementary messages
9.1 Malfunction messages
9.2 Error messages
9.3 Status messages
10. Annex
10.1 Reset (Factory Settings) procedure
10.2 Panic function

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1. GENERAL PRESENTATION
1.1. MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
The MC 2000 is an expandable Master Keyboard equipped with 88 weighted keys with
hammer, with dynamic and aftertouch sensitivity. This sensitivity varies depending on the
response curve set in the patch. Thanks to the large system memory with which the
instrument is equipped, it is able to memorize no less than 256 patches, fully
programmable by the user and all recallable in real time.
The MC 2000 also offers a large number of functions allowing complete, professional
management of the MIDI protocol, and at the same time has an intuitive user interface
which simplifies the musician's relationship with the instrument. Prefitted to take an
optional internal sound board, the MC 2000 can also be transformed into a real
independent synthesizer.
1.2. THE PATCH AND ZONE CONCEPT
A patch can be defined as a program containing all the information which presets the
instrument to provide a given type of performance. For example, as well as the key
velocity (dynamic) or Aftertouch response curves, a patch may contain MIDI channels and
relative ports with regard to the various zones, the Program Changes, the controls, the
exclusive systems and many other parameters which we will be examining in more detail
later.
The zone is a specific region of the keyboard, which can be set as we choose to include
the entire range of 88 keys or just one key, in which given parameters have been set. If a
different Program Change assigned to a specific MIDI channel, sent to one of the 4 MIDI
OUT ports (or to the sound board, if installed in the instrument), corresponds to each zone,
the zone is identified with a specific sound. In this case, if 8 zones are activated in the
selected patch, we have 8 different sounds distributed within the range of our keyboard.
Therefore the zone is a real program assigned to a portion of the keyboard (or to the whole
keyboard) and contained within a patch, which may contain up to 8 zones. In other words,
the zone can be considered as a patch within a patch.

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1.3. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE INSTRUMENT AND DISCOVER SOME IF ITS FEATURES
1.3.1. Wheels
If we look at the front panel, we will find that from left to right it contains 3 wheels, to which
we can assign regulation of any Control Change, which will act on all the active zones
(system control).
1.3.2. Sliders and zone keys
Moving further to the right, we find one slider for the analogue volume of the internal sound
board (used for this board only) and four ASSIGNABLE SLIDERS, to which any MIDI
Control Change of our choice can be assigned. It is important to bear in mind that while
the control associated to each wheel acts on all the active zones (system control), the
control assigned to the Assignable Slider only acts on the zones set by the user (zone
control).
Below the Assignable Sliders, there are 8 zone keys. Each zone key has a LED indicating
its activation status; when it is off, the zone is not active, while when it is on the zone is
active. When the LED flashes, the relative zone is in Stand-by condition, meaning that
the zone is not yet active, but is ready to be activated next time the key is pressed.
A Stand-by status is useful if the parameters assigned to a given zone are to come into
use at a certain point in the keyboard player's performance, while the overall parameters of
the patch remain unchanged.

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1.3.3. The display, the write key and the function keys
The centre of the front panel contains a display, above which there are 3 function keys,
[F1], [F2] and [F3], used to select the function or user field which appears on the display
next to the key concerned. Below the display there are 5 keys; the first on the left is the
[WRITE] key, used to save the settings made by the user. This key is followed, from left to
right, by 3 more function keys (from [F4] to [F6]) and the exit key ([ESC]) pressed to exit
from the procedure in progress without saving the modifications made, returning to the
previous video page or the display main menu page. The function keys also have LEDs,
on when they are enabled, meaning when pressing them will select the function or user
field to which they are associated.
1.3.4. The dynamic encoder, the INC and DEC keys and the cursor keys
Further to the right on the front panel, we find the DYNAMIC ENCODER knob. The
Encoder is a data entering device allowing the user to increase the value of the selected
field by turning the knob clockwise, or to reduce it by turning anti-clockwise. The word
"Dynamic" means that the MC 2000 encoder is sensitive to the acceleration with which the
knob is turned, so the faster the rotation the larger the jump in values on the selected field.
Below the Encoder knob there are 2 keys which increase ([INC]) or decrease ([DEC]) the
selected field one unit at a time: they are normally used for fine variation of a value. In the
Program Mode (normal operating mode), both the Encoder and the [INC] and [DEC] keys
act on the number of the patch selected. Below them the CURSOR keys move the selector
cursor in the four main directions, corresponding with the positions of the keys themselves
(up, down, left, right).

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1.3.5. The Numeric Pad and the mode keys
The NUMERIC PAD is a combination of numbered keys allowing the user to set a
numerical value on the selected field directly. Every value entered must be confirmed by
pressing the [ENTER] key. Naturally, when a value outside the permitted range is entered,
the MC 2000 will set the value by forcing the maximum (or minimum) value envisaged for
the field.
In the Program Mode, the numeric pad selects the number of the patch to be recalled.
In addition to the numerical characters, the Numeric Pad also contains the alphanumeric
characters: if the field selected envisages the entering of these characters (e.g. writing of
the patch name), the instrument will automatically enable the input of letters, so the
chosen key can be pressed repeatedly to scroll through all the letters assigned to it.
The numeric pad contains the [BANK] key for selecting the bank in which the patch to be
recalled is located. This selection does not always start from bank A, but starts from the
bank active when the operation is carried out.
The last set of buttons we find moving from left to right is the group called MODE,
consisting of 4 buttons with LED which allow us to select one of the instrument's 4
operating modes, which are:
•PROGRAM MODE: Main operating mode. In this mode, the user can select the
programs (patches) and use all the instrument's real-time functions.
•EDIT MODE: Programming mode. This mode allows creation of modification of all the
parameters in a program (patch).
•CHAIN MODE: Mode which allows the creation and execution of 64 different
concatenations of more than one patch.
•UTILITY: This mode allows the creation of user tables and access to all the
instrument's auxiliary functions.

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1.3.6. Rear panel elements
Moving from left to right, we find first the on/off switch and the mains connection. In the
centre there are 4 MIDI OUT ports, 2 MIDI THRU ports and 2 MIDI IN ports, all
consecutively numbered.
The presence of 4 totally separate MIDI outputs means that data can be transmitted on 64
independent MIDI channels (16 for each port).
Continuing from left to right, we find 4 inputs for the pedals, 2 audio outputs for the optional
sound board, and the Phones output, also dedicated to the sound board, if installed.

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2. LET'S SWITCH ON THE MC 2000
2.1. WHAT THE INSTRUMENT DOES AT SWITCH-ON
What the MC 2000 does at switch-on depends on the settings the user has made. The
user can choose between two types of switch-on: TALKED switch-on and SILENT switch-
on. In TALKED mode, as soon as we switch on the instrument the display shows the
presentation video page and information about the condition of the lithium battery fitted,
and whether or not the internal sound board is installed.
There are three types of message to indicate the condition of the battery: when it is
charged:
almost flat (so the data stored inside the instrument should be saved as soon as possible,
using the MIDI Bulk Dump):
the battery is flat (imminent danger of losing all the data in the memory):
There are a further four messages for management of the sound board, if installed, such
as: board search:

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the board has been found and recognized (reply to the system ID request messages):
the board has been found but is not recognized (no reply to the ID request):
the board has not been found (no board installed):
If the MC2000 has detected a change in the configuration of the internal slot (board
removed, of different type from the previous one or just installed) the display will show:
If the user confirms with [F6] (yes), the system will be reset, presetting for the new
situation just detected. In this case, the display will show:

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N.B. If the user decides not to run the update function, the system might not work
correctly. Specifically, the ports for communication with the internal sound generation
board might not be enabled, or there might be errors in association to the Control and
Program Change values. Users are therefore strongly recommended to run this function
whenever the system prompts it.
Immediately afterwards, the display switches to the Program Mode, showing the name and
number of the patch selected automatically on the basis of the setting made by the user.
In the other mode (SILENT), the display does not show the messages relating to the
batteries and the sound board, which will only appear if they have top priority (e.g. back-up
battery flat).
N.B. The lifetime of the lithium battery installed in the MC 2000 is estimated at 4 years.
However, in critical operating conditions (e.g. high operating temperatures) their life may
be significantly reduced. You are urged to save the memory by means of the MIDI Bulk
Dump as soon as the instrument signals that the memory is at risk ("battery low").
2.2. SETTING THE SWITCH-ON MODE
•PresstheUTILITYkeyontherightofthefrontpanel(MODEsection).
At this point the display will show the 6 sections of the UTILITY operating mode.
•Select"
TOOLS" using function key [F6] or using the selection device (pressing the
cursor keys or turning the encoder until the word TOOLS on the display is highlighted
and confirming with ENTER). The display will show the following:

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•NowusetheselectiondevicestoselectPOWERONorpresskey[F3]andthedisplay
will show the following video page:
•Use the cursor keys to move to the line where the words POWER ON TYPE appear: at
this point the current function is selected. The [INC] and [DEC] keys or the encoder can
now be used to vary the setting of the switch-on mode from SILENT to TALKED and
vice-versa.
•Pressthe[ESC]keytoreturntotheProgramMode.Themodificationsmadeare
automatically memorized as soon as the selection is made.
2.3. SELECTING THE PATCH WHICH WILL AUTOMATICALLY APPEAR AT SWITCH-ON
You can choose the patch which will automatically appear when the instrument is switched
on. To do this, access the POWER ON page (just described) in the TOOLS section of the
UTILITY operating mode.
•Thenselect
PATCH POWER ON by moving around the display using the cursor keys
(or by pressing [F1]).
•Set the number of the patch you wish to load automatically when the instrument is
switched on using the encoder, the [INC] and [DEC] keys or the numeric pad (in which
case [ENTER] must be used to confirm). The word "last" refers not to a page but to a
special function. Pressing the relative function key [F6] selects the value "last" for the
"PATCH POWER ON" field, corresponding to the last patch selected before the
instrument was switched off.

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3. THE PROGRAM OPERATING MODE
3.1. INTRODUCTION
The Program mode (PLAY MODE) is the main operating mode where the user can recall
and perform the programmed patches. It consists of a main video page and two pages of
functions such as "SEND PRG" and "SOLO".
The top line on the display shows the bank, the number and the name of the selected
patch.
The selected patch can be changed by simply using the Encoder or the [INC] and [DEC]
keys (the range for the patches is set as A-001 A-128 and B-001 B-128) with
instantaneous loading. The Numeric Pad keys are also enabled for patch selection and
when these keys are used, the value must be confirmed using the [ENTER] key.
The [BANK] key also operates on the same principle, with cyclic selection between banks
A and B. When the memory bank only is selected without the patch number, the current
patch number will be taken by default. Keys [F1]-[F2]-[F3]-[F4] are not operational in this
page.
When a patch containing exclusive system data is recalled, during data emission the
display will appear as shown below:
and it will then return to the standard mode.
3.2. "SEND PRG" FUNCTION
The PRG (or Send Program Change) function allows the user to send a Program Change
to a specific port and MIDI channel without having to select an Edit procedure. This
function is especially useful, for example, for recalling a given sound on a connected
expander at the test level, without this sound having to be memorized in the patch.
Pressing key [F5] will give access to the function represented by the following video page.

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This video page shows 4 user fields, one display field (MIDI OUT 1) and one function field
(send). Since the "MIDI OUT 1" field is for display only, and therefore cannot be selected,
it only appears when the option to which it refers is selected, in this case the "PORT" field.
So when any other field is selected, the display field disappears.
The relative function keys [F1], [F2], [F4] and [F5] can be pressed, or the cursor keys can
be used, to select the fields required. When a field is selected, it appears between the two
selection symbols, and . Once the desired field has been selected, the desired value
can be entered using the Data Entry devices, such as the Encoder, the numeric keypad
and the [INC] and [DEC] keys.
The "send" (send PRG) function makes the following fields available to the user:
•PORT: Selection of the MIDI OUT port to which the Program Change is to be sent.
The name attributed to the selected port, which can be defined by the user (see
UTILITY - Tables section of this menu) appears in the right-hand part of the display.
The value of the PORT field depends on whether or not the sound board is fitted, as
follows.
- if the board is not installed, the possible values are: 01(OUT1) - 02(OUT2) -
03(OUT3) - 04(OUT4).
- if the board is installed (regardless of whether or not it is recognized) the possible
values are: INT(INTERNAL) - 01(OUT1) - 02(OUT2) - 03(OUT3) - 04(OUT4).
•CHANNEL: Selection of the MIDI channel on which the Program Change is to be sent
(from 01 to 16).
•BANK: This field can be used to send a bank change message (Bank Select LSB)
together with the Program Change. Enter the appropriate value, bearing in mind that
the OFF condition means that the Bank Select message will NOT be sent.
•PRG:NumberoftheProgramChangetobesent(0-127).
If the INT port is selected and the board is recognized, when the "PRG" field is selected,
the display field showing the name of the Program, with updating in real time, appears
instead of the display field with the port name (MIDI OUT 1 in the example).
Display field

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When the PRG field is de-selected, the display field becomes empty again.
Once the desired values have been selected, the user may press [F6] to send the Program
Change while remaining on the same video page; pressing [ENTER] sends the Program
Change and returns to the previous video page. [ESC] can be pressed to return to the
previous video page without sending a message.
3.3. "SOLO" FUNCTION
Pressing [F6] from the PLAY mode gives access to the "SOLO" function, allowing one
zone to be kept active while switching all those active at the moment to stand-by status. If
various zones are active, when the "SOLO" function is recalled the display will show a
prompt to select the zone in which the function is to take effect.
All zone keys relating to the zones enabled in the current patch start to flash awaiting the
selection, which is made by pressing the key of the chosen zone. Once the selection has
been made, the display returns to the PLAY mode (Patch selection video page), leaving
only the chosen zone active and switching all the other zones previously active to Stand-
By status. When the SOLO function is active, the Play video page appears as shown
below:
When [F6], marked SOLO on the display, is pressed again, the function is disabled and
the original patch configuration is restored. In view of the properties of the SOLO function,
it cannot be activated when only one zone is active in the current patch; if the [F6] key is
pressed in this condition, the display will show the error message for a few moments.
After a few moments, the display returns to the Play Mode page (patch selection).

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4. WRITE PROCEDURE IN THE PROGRAM AND EDIT MODE
4.1. PATCH NUMBERING
Pressing the [WRITE] key in the main Program Mode page or in any page of the Edit
operating mode will give access to the WRITE PROGRAM procedure, allowing the patch
to be saved in accordance with the modifications made.
When the [WRITE] key is pressed, the key LED starts to flash and the following video
page will appear on the display:
Pressing [ESC] returns to the previous page.
If we look at the WRITE page display, we can see that the memory location which will
house the program appears in the top line; the name of the program appears on the right:
N.B. When the Write video page is accessed, the current patch with the name assigned to
it is always offered as destination. If the modifications made are intended for the current
patch, the user simply presses the [WRITE] key again and the same patch will be saved
with the new modifications. If the modifications are intended for a new patch created on
the basis of the current patch, the memory location must be varied using the Data Entry
devices; the memory location has a range between A-001 A-127 and B-001 B-128.
The only function key enabled in this video page is [F6], next to which the name field
appears to indicate that pressing this key allows a name to be assigned to the program to
be saved.
4.2. ASSIGNING A NAME TO THE PATCH
When [F6] is pressed, the display will be as shown below:
Logically, the field between the [and ] characters represents the name being modified;
when the function is accessed, the first character in this field is automatically selected and
thus associated to a flashing underline cursor. The Data Entry devices such as the
Encoder, Numeric Pad and [INC] and [DEC] keys can be used to modify the letter selected
by the flashing cursor.

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To select other letters in the name, the user uses the [ ] and [ ] cursor keys, while the
[] and [ ] keys can be used to move the cursor to the top and bottom of the writing field.
In the bottom of the display, aligned to the [F4], [F5] and [F6] function keys, there are three
fields which represent the SPACE, DELETE and DONE functions, assigned to the three
keys respectively:
•[F4](space):entersaspaceontheselectedcharacter;
•[F5](delete):deletestheselectedcharacter,movingalltheothercharactersoneplace
back (to the left);
•[F6](done):acceptsthemodificationsmadeandreturnstothepreviousvideopage.
Note that when the rename function is accessed, the system always offers the name of the
current location, even if the destination has been modified.
We have seen that the [ ],[ ],[ ] and [ ] cursor keys and the Data Entry devices can be
used to create a new memory location name. Once the desired result has been obtained,
press the [F6] function key to return to the previous page, retaining the modifications made
to the name.
Pressing [ESC] will also bring return to the previous page, but without saving the
modifications made.
5. EDIT MODE
5.1. INTRODUCTION
The EDIT MODE is the operating mode which allows setting of all the patch parameters.
Once the patch to be modified has been selected, the user presses the EDIT key on the
right of the front panel of the instrument: the key LED illuminates and the menu video page
appears on the display. This page contains the 6 sections of the Edit Mode, each of which
can be accessed using the relative function keys or using the CURSOR keys ([ENTER] to
confirm).
All modifications made to the patch in the Edit environment remain in the temporary
memory until the user changes the active patch; an "E" will be displayed in the main video
page to remind the user about any modifications which have been made but not
memorized.

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The modifications made can be memorized by enabling the WRITE Program function,
described in section 4 of this manual. The WRITE Program function can be recalled from
any page or subpage of the Edit Mode, as well as from the main Program Mode page.
When the patch is changed (aborting the modifications) or memorized (WRITE procedure),
the "E" for EDITED disappears.
We will now take a detailed look at the Edit sections, which appear in a list when the
[EDIT] key is pressed:
•OUT CONFIGURATION: definition of the activation status of the MIDI OUT port
(including the internal communications port dedicated to the sound board), and the
zone transmission channel.
•ZONE DEFINITIONS: definition of the zone Key Range, Transpose and Mode.
•OUT MESSAGES: assignment of the messages belonging to the zone, such as
Program Change, Bank Select, Volume, Pan-pot, Reverb and Chorus. The exclusive
system messages are included.
•CURVES: section where each zone can be assigned its own dynamic and Aftertouch
curves.
•SLIDERS: definition of the sliders assigned to the zone with the relative default value.
•PEDALS: definition of the pedals assigned to the zone with the relative default value.
5.2. OUT CONFIGURATION
In this section, also known as the setup section, the user can set the main setup
parameters of the zone such as its basic status, the MIDI OUT port and the MIDI
CHANNEL for transmission.
After selection of the OUT CONFIG option from the Edit Mode menu using the procedures
described above, the display will be as shown below:
The fields appearing on the display are: